Join the Conversation

Colts punter Pat McAfee reacts to Marcus Smart situation

By Jordan Heck, @JordanHeckFF
1:10 p.m. EST February 9, 2014

Colts punter Pat McAfee talks with WTHR personality Angela Buchman during the Pat McAfee Show at Kilroy's Downtown Tuesday, November 19, 2013. McAfee used his weekly show as a vehicle to raise money for tornado relief for Kokomo and other cities in Indiana affected by Sunday's storms.(Photo: Mike Fender Indianapolis Star)

During a Saturday night game between Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, a college basketball player, Marcus Smart, shoved a fan.

The incident drew instant debate over whether or not the act was right or wrong. Reports have come out saying the fan said some racist things to Smart, but the official story hasn't come out and may likely never will.

Text convo from my Tech friend w/Orr- Orr is Tech&#39;s biggest fan-everyone knows him, he goes to every game pic.twitter.com/1ZlN6gAdz3

I have the very fortunate opportunity to be on the sidelines and listen to the things that fans think they can say to players. One of the things that makes sports so amazing is the feelings that it gives people. From anger & anxiety all the way to elation. It's a roller coaster of emotions that fans within the venue get to openly experience. We all know as players that fans are what make our sports tick. Those feelings are what have kept sports relevant for so long. BUT, just like in any aspect of life, there is a line.. & sometimes that line gets crossed in the heat of the moment. I think we should take what happened last night and use it as a learning situation. A front row ticket is not a golden pass to say whatever you want to somebody. Just like Twitter and social media isn't one either. We should learn that our words can be powerful, and remember that no matter the setting we should be nicer to each other.